JP2010218120A - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain further reduction in power in a power-saving mode, when restoration factor detection parts are installed for each of restoration factors from a power-saving mode to a normal operation state, by not providing a power to unnecessary detection section from among these plurality of detection parts. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing apparatus is provided with a power saving mode shifting means for shifting a normal operation mode to a power-saving mode; a restoration means for restoring the power saving mode to the normal operation mode; a plurality of restoration factor detection means for detecting restoration factors from the power-saving mode; a selection means for selecting validity/invalidity to one or more restoration factor detection means from among the plurality of restoration factor detection means; and a power supply control means for controlling power supply to the plurality of restoration factor detection means. When normal operation mode is shifted to the power-saving mode by the power-saving mode shifting means, any power is not supplied to the restoration factor detection means determined to be invalid by the selection means under the control of the power supply control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving control technique in an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, an image processing apparatus has a mode (so-called power saving mode) in which power is not supplied to devices / modules / units that operate during normal operation but do not operate during standby, so as to reduce power consumption. Already known. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is an energy-saving sub CPU, and control is performed so that power is not supplied to the main CPU during energy saving.

  However, the image processing apparatus having the power saving mode until now has a plurality of factors for returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation state. Therefore, a plurality of return factor detection units for detecting a plurality of return factors are provided. Power was supplied to all the recovery factor detection units. On the other hand, even if multiple recovery factor detection units are provided to handle multiple recovery factors, there are some recovery factors that are not required depending on the user's usage environment, and power is supplied to the detection of unnecessary recovery factors. As a result, there is a problem that power is wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is provided to cope with each factor of returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation state, and is unnecessary among a plurality of detection units for detecting these. An object of the present invention is to realize further reduction of power in the power saving mode by not supplying power to a certain detection unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a power saving mode shift means for shifting to a power saving mode, a return means for returning from a power saving mode to a normal operation mode, A plurality of return factor detection means for detecting a return factor from the power saving mode; a selection means for selecting validity / invalidity for one or more return factor detection means from the plurality of return factor detection means; Power supply control means for controlling power supply to the return factor detection means of the power supply, and when the power supply control means shifts to the power saving mode, the power supply control means invalidates the selection means. It is characterized in that control is performed so that power is not supplied to the recovery factor detecting means.

  Further, the image processing method of the present invention includes a power saving mode transition step for shifting to the power saving mode, a return step for returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, and a plurality of factors for detecting a return factor from the power saving mode. A selection step for selecting valid / invalid for one or more return factor detection means from among the return factor detection means, and a power supply control step for controlling power supply to the plurality of return factor detection means, When shifting to the power saving mode by the power saving mode shifting step, the power supply control step performs control not to supply power to the return factor detecting means invalidated in the selection step. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize further reduction of power in the power saving mode by not supplying power to an unnecessary return factor detector from among a plurality of return factor detectors.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the power supplies A, D, E, and F are turned off in the configuration of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for displaying and selecting a return factor valid / invalid status. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the CPU and ASIC. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the clock control register and the reset control register. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus configured so that the return from the switch of the operation unit cannot be invalidated.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a controller 100, an operation unit 200, and a scanner 300. Further, host computers 500 ₁ , 500 ₂ , 500 _3, etc. (hereinafter referred to as host computer 500) that use this image processing apparatus 1 are connected.

  The controller 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs overall control, and various I / O controllers that perform various input / output controls including a network, as components that execute control operations, and a power saving mode control controller (power saving mode transition means). And an ASIC 102 having a DMA controller, an interrupt controller, and the like. In the normal operation mode, the CPU 101 performs control. When the CPU 101 shifts to the power saving mode, the power supply to the CPU 101 is cut off, and the ASIC 102 (power supply control means) performs control. However, the control in the power saving mode may be performed by the CPU 101 instead of the ASIC 102. However, when the power consumption of the ASIC 102 is smaller than that of the CPU 101, it is better not to supply power to the CPU 101. The ASIC 102 may not be an ASIC, and may be a CPU that consumes less power than the CPU 101.

(Method of cutting off power supply to the CPU 101 in the power saving mode)
As shown in FIG. 1, an enable terminal (a terminal for controlling power ON / OFF) of a power source A 401 that supplies power to the CPU 101 is connected to the ASIC 102. When shifting to the power saving mode, the CPU 101 turns off the power supply A 401 that supplies power to the CPU 101 under register control of the ASIC 102. Immediately before that, the power supply of the module which becomes unnecessary in the power saving mode is turned off. As a result, the only modules that are supplied with power in the power saving mode are the ASIC 102 and the module that serves as the recovery factor detection unit (the ASIC 102 is supplied with power from the power supply B 402). However, at this time, power is not supplied to all return factor detection units, and power is supplied only to the recovery factor detection unit selected by the user. Details of the selection method and the power supply control method will be described later.

  As a condition for shifting to such a power saving mode, there is a case where the switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200 is pressed or there is no operation request from the user for a certain period of time. After shifting to the power saving mode, the main role of the ASIC 102 is to receive the return signals from the various return factor detection units and turn the power on again to the modules that were turned off in the power saving mode such as the CPU 101 (ON). )It is to be. However, instead of turning on the power to all the modules that were turned off at this time, it is preferable to turn on the power to only the necessary modules according to the return factor.

  Further, the return factor detection unit from the power saving mode in the image processing apparatus 1 includes a switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200, a document set detection sensor 301 and a pressure plate opening / closing detection sensor 302 provided in the scanner 300, and a host PC 500. There is a network I / F 103 connected to. By these return factor detection units, the user can press the switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200, set a document on the scanner 300, open / close the platen, or request an operation from the host PC 500 (print job, image storage in HDD). , Image reading, etc.), the controller 100 (return means) can return from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that power is not supplied to an unnecessary return factor detection unit when it is not necessary to return the device to all these return factors depending on the use environment of the user. Below, an example is demonstrated about the selection method of an unnecessary return factor detection part, and the power supply control method.

  First, there are a method of selecting an unnecessary return factor detection unit, a method performed from the user interface 202 (key or liquid crystal panel) of the operation unit 200, and a method performed from the host PC 500.

  In the former setting from the user interface 202 (selection means) of the operation unit 200, the valid / invalid status of various return factors is displayed on the liquid crystal panel as shown in FIG. 3, and the user activates / deactivates using the keys. change. Here, the user interface 202 of the operation unit 200 may be set with a touch panel instead of a key. Control of the user interface 202 of the operation unit 200 is executed by the CPU 201 on the operation unit 200, and information regarding selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor is transmitted to the CPU 101 on the controller 100 and stored in the RAM 104.

  On the other hand, the setting from the host PC 500 is similarly displayed on the screen (selecting means) of the host PC 500 as shown in FIG. 3, and the user changes the validity / invalidity using a keyboard, mouse, or the like. The host PC 500 is connected to the CPU 101 on the controller via the network I / F 103 and the ASIC 102, and information related to selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor is stored in the RAM 104. In FIG. 3, various return factors and their valid / invalid status are displayed. For example, it is better to display the power reduced when each return factor is invalid as a specific value.

  Next, a power supply control method in the power saving mode will be described based on information regarding selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor stored in the RAM 104.

  As described above, the process of shifting to the power saving mode starts when a certain time elapses without an operation request or when the switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200 is pressed. At the end of the process, the power-off process for modules that are not required in the power saving mode such as the CPU 101 is entered. Before that, the information on the selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor stored in the RAM 104 is confirmed. At the same time, the power supply is turned off for the invalid recovery factor detection unit.

  For example, when the return factor from the network is invalid, the power supply of the module that is not necessary at the time of power saving, which cannot be a return factor, is turned off, and at the same time, the Enable terminal (power ON / OFF is controlled by the register control of the ASIC 102. The power supply C 403 supplying power to the network I / F 103 is turned off. At this time, if the power supply of the network controller is independent among the power supplies supplied to the ASIC 102, it is preferable to turn off the power supply here as well. Even when the power sources are not independent, it is preferable to disable the network controller.

  Further, when the ASIC 102 includes a sub CPU for network reception, it is preferable to disable the sub CPU. In addition, when the return from the pressing of the switch 203 of the operation unit 200 is set to be invalid other than the network, the power supply G 407 that supplies power to the switch 203 is similarly turned off.

  As another example, when the return from the pressure plate opening / closing is invalid and the return from the document set is set to invalid, the power source E 405 supplying power to the pressure plate opening / closing sensor 302 at the time of shifting to the power saving mode. In addition, the power supply D 404 that supplies power to the document set detection sensor 301 is turned off. The state at that time is shown in FIG. Here, the power source A 401 and the power source F 406 are also turned off, and the power source of the RAM 104 on the controller and the RAM 204 on the operation unit is also turned off. It may be in the refresh mode and in the STR state.

  Further, the method for storing the information related to selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor in the RAM 104 has been described so far. However, for example, a dedicated register may be provided in the register of the ASIC 102 and stored therein. In that case, the ASIC 102 automatically enables / disables each power supply terminal (terminal for controlling ON / OFF of the power supply) based on the information on the validity / invalidity stored in the register when shifting to the power saving mode. It is good to control.

  In the above description, the method of controlling the supply of power by controlling one of the power supplies by controlling one of the power supplies for each detection unit is described. For example, OFF / ON may be controlled by a load switch FET.

  In the above description, the valid / invalid state can be selected for all of the plurality of detection units. However, the detection unit with low power consumption may not be selected. For example, when the power consumption of the network I / F 103 is large and the power consumption of other detection units is small, it may be possible to select valid / invalid only for return from the network.

  Furthermore, the power source that supplies power to each detection unit does not supply power only to the detection unit, but also to a circuit (pull-up circuit or general-purpose logic IC) between the detection unit and the ASIC 102. Electric power is supplied, and the electric power supply is controlled at the same time.

  Subsequently, in the present embodiment, an example of the operation flow of the CPU 101 and the ASIC 102 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and will be described.

  In step S101, the CPU 101 determines whether a power saving mode transition condition has occurred. Here, when a certain period of time has passed without an operation request, or when the switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S102 assuming that the power saving mode transition condition has occurred.

  In step S102, the CPU 101 executes power saving mode transition processing. The power saving mode transition process includes, for example, a process for normally ending the process being executed, a process necessary before the power is turned off at a place where the power is turned off in the power saving mode, and the like.

  Next, in step S103, the ASIC 102 performs control to turn off the power supplies other than those necessary for restoration by turning off the power supplies other than the ASIC 102 and each return factor detection unit. Specifically, as an example of the location where the power is turned off, in addition to the sensors necessary for the return of the image output unit (plotter) and the image input unit (scanner) of the image processing apparatus, there are HDDs in the controller 100 and the like.

  Then, through steps S104 to S111, the ASIC 102 performs control so as not to supply power to the return factor detection unit selected as invalid. In the example shown in the figure, it is determined whether the return from the switch 203, the return from the document set detection sensor 301, and the return from the pressure plate open / close detection sensor 302 are set as invalid, and is set as invalid. If yes, the corresponding power supply is turned off.

  Finally, in step S112, the ASIC 102 turns off the power to the CPU 101. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced significantly.

  In addition, there are other factors for the return as well. For example, recovery by FAX reception or recovery by insertion / extraction of an external recording medium such as a USB memory or an SD card corresponds to this.

(Other Example 1)
The ASIC 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a clock control register 601 that controls supply / stop of a clock to each internal module as illustrated in FIG. 5 and a reset control register 602 that can reset each internal module. In this embodiment, the clock control register 601 and the reset control register 602 are used.

  In the former clock control register 601, various internal modules are assigned to each bit, and when the bit is set to 1, the clock of the assigned internal module is stopped. If 0, a clock is supplied. Similarly, in the latter reset control register 602, a different internal module is assigned to each bit, and when the bit is set to 1, the assigned internal module is reset. If 0, reset is released.

  Therefore, for example, when the cause of return from the network is selected as invalid, the power supply C 403 that supplies power to the network I / F 103 is turned off and stopped as described above. If the network controller power supply to the ASIC 102 is independent, the power supply is also turned off here, but even if the power supply is not independent, the network controller in the ASIC 102 is disabled (function is disabled). It is good to make it. That is, the bit of the network controller is set to 1 in each bit of the clock control register 601 and the reset control register 602.

  Further, the ASIC 102 is provided with a sub CPU for receiving from the network, and the sub CPU can be disabled (function disabled) by register setting or hardware control of an external pin. When “invalid” is selected, this sub CPU may also be disabled (disable function) in the power saving mode.

(Other Example 2)
In this embodiment, whether the return factor is valid / invalid is selected from the user interface 202 (key or liquid crystal panel) of the operation unit 200 or the host PC 500, and information regarding the selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor is stored in the NVRAM 105. Let By doing so, even if the power supply of the entire image processing apparatus 1 is turned off, information regarding selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor that has been set once is retained, and the trouble of setting again is saved.

  At that time, the information may or may not be stored in the RAM 104. Even if the information is not stored in the RAM 104, a return factor detection unit that turns off the power supply may be determined based on information on selection of validity / invalidity of each return factor stored in the NVRAM 105 when the power saving mode is shifted. . However, in general, access to the NVRAM 105 is slower than access to the RAM 104. If the access speed becomes a problem, it is also stored in the RAM 104, and information stored in the RAM 104 may be referred to when shifting to the power saving mode.

(Other Example 3)
In this embodiment, the user interface 202 (key or liquid crystal panel) of the operation unit 200 or the host PC 500 selects enable / disable of the return factor. If all the return factors are disabled at that time, the power saving mode is entered. Even if the above condition occurs (a certain time has passed without an operation request or the switch 203 provided in the operation unit 200 is pressed), the power saving mode is not entered. This prevents it from being unable to return.

(Other Example 4)
In this embodiment, whether the return factor is enabled / disabled is selected from the user interface 202 (key or liquid crystal panel) of the operation unit 200 or the host PC 500. At this time, if all the return factors are to be disabled, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a warning is given to the user on the screen of the operation unit 200 so that the setting cannot be made.

(Other Example 4)
In this embodiment, for example, when the return from the switch 203 cannot be invalidated (in the example of FIG. 7, the signal line for controlling the power supply G 407 from the ASIC 102 is not provided), the power supply G is supplied by the ASIC 102. 407 cannot be turned off. Thereby, even if all other detection units are disabled, the switch 203 can be reliably restored. The detection unit that cannot be invalidated may be other than the switch 203. Further, when it is impossible to disable the power supply, the power supply need not be independent.

  In the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described as an example applied to an image processing apparatus having a scanner function. However, a copying machine, a printer, a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a copy function, a printer Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having at least two functions among a function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

1 image processing apparatus 100 controller 101 CPU
102 ASIC
103 Network I / F
104 RAM
105 NVRAM
200 Operation unit 201 CPU
202 User interface 203 Switch 204 RAM
300 Scanner 301 Document Set Detection Sensor 302 Pressure Plate Open / Close Detection Sensor 401 Power Supply A
402 Power supply B
403 Power supply C
404 Power supply D
405 Power supply E
406 Power F
407 Power supply G
500 ₁ , 500 ₂ , 500 ₃ host computers

JP 2004-5029 A

Claims (7)

A power saving mode shifting means for shifting to the power saving mode;
Return means for returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode;
A plurality of return factor detection means for detecting a return factor from the power saving mode;
Selecting means for selecting valid / invalid for one or more return factor detection means from the plurality of return factor detection means;
Power supply control means for controlling power supply to the plurality of return factor detection means,
When the power saving mode shift means shifts to the power saving mode, the power supply control means performs control not to supply power to the return factor detection means invalidated by the selection means. Image processing device.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply control unit determines whether to turn off the power in accordance with a setting of a built-in register. A non-volatile storage means;
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information for identifying a return factor detection unit validated by the selection unit is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when all of the return factor detection units are invalidated by the selection unit, the image processing apparatus does not shift to a power saving mode. 5.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit cannot perform selection to invalidate all return factor detection units. 5.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one return factor detection unit that is always effective. Power saving mode transition process for shifting to power saving mode;
A return process for returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode;
A selection step of selecting valid / invalid for one or more return factor detection means from a plurality of return factor detection means for detecting a return factor from the power saving mode;
A power supply control step for controlling power supply to the plurality of return factor detection means,
When shifting to the power saving mode by the power saving mode shifting step, the power supply control step performs control not to supply power to the return factor detecting means invalidated in the selection step. Image processing method.

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